Turgåere foran Engabreen Trym Kristiansen

Engabreen (also known as Engenbreen) is a glacier arm of the Svartisen glacier in Meløy. The hike from the fjord up to the glacier front is beautiful, following the blue-green Engabrevatnet and climbing over the smooth rock that’s been polished by the ice over thousands of years.

Key info

Difficulty: Easy to moderately demanding. The first 3 km are on a gravel road. The terrain is mostly flat, but gets steeper toward the end.
Distance one way: Approx. 4.3 km
Elevation gain one way: Around 190 metres
Time one way: 1.5 – 2 hours
Season: June to August
Starting point: Boat across Holandsfjorden, then begin from the dock at Engen
View the parking in Holandsfjorden on Google Maps
View starting point in Engen on Google Maps

Important: The glacier is unstable and constantly moving. Large ice blocks can fall without warning. Always follow marked trails and stay at least 100 metres away from the glacier edge.

Be sure to check the boat schedule across Holandsfjorden and plan your trip accordingly.

In addition to being Norway’s second-largest glacier, Svartisen is also the lowest-lying glacier in the country. In Meløy, the Engabreen glacier arm extends down to about 200 metres above sea level. This hike takes you from the dock, past Brestua café, along Engabrevatnet, and up to the cairn near the glacier front.

The hike begins at the dock in Engen. To get there, you need a private boat or to take the shuttle boat across Holandsfjorden, which operates several times daily during summer. Most of the hike follows a well-maintained gravel road alongside Engabrevatnet.

Dronebilde av skyssbåten over Holandsfjorden i Meløy, med bretunga Engabreen i bakgrunnen. Simon Fossheim / Visit Helgeland

The gravel road ends at the far end of the lake. From there, continue about 1.5 km on trail and rock. Good hiking shoes are strongly recommended, especially in wet weather, as the rocks can be slippery. After a short while, the trail splits — stay to the right. The left-hand trail leads to the much longer and more demanding hike to the DNT cabin Tåkeheimen.

The final 500 metres are steeper than the rest of the hike. At the cairn, you’ll get a close look at the glacier’s size and enjoy great views down to Engabrevatnet. Remember to stay well back from the glacier edge, as large blocks of ice can fall suddenly. The minimum safe distance is 100 metres, and we recommend everyone stay on the marked trail.

From the cairn, you can return the same way or continue about 600 metres further to Svartisgryta, a giant pothole carved out by ice and water over thousands of years. It’s a great place for a refreshing dip on a warm summer day — for the adventurous!

Glacier tours

A guided hike on the glacier is an incredible experience. With a professional guide, you’ll explore the ice safely while learning about the glacier’s formation and history.

View starting point on Google Maps

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Ørnes Hotel

Ørnes Hotell offers comfortable accommodation in the heart of Helgeland’s stunning coastal landscape. With easy access to both nature and local experiences, it’s the perfect base for your journey.

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Kayaking trips in the Meløy and Rødøy area

Meløy Adventure offers guided kayaking trips on the Glomfjord, to the Svartisen glacier, and on the waters near Rødøyløva (443 m), as well as longer excursions around the island of Mesøy. The company also rents out kayaks, and its experienced instructors offer a variety of kayaking courses.

More hiking adventures in the area

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